The WHO Mental Health Atlas 2011 represents the latest estimate of global mental health resources available to prevent and treat mental disorders and help protect the human rights of people living with these conditions.

It presents data from 184 WHO Member States, covering 95% of the world’s population.

Globally, spending on mental health is less than two US dollars per person, per year and less than 25 cents in low income countries.

Almost half of the world's population lives in a country where, on average, there is one psychiatrist or less to serve 200,000 people.

2 . Resources for mental health are inequitably distributed

Only 36% of people living in low income countries are covered by mental health legislation.

In contrast, the corresponding rate for high income countries is 92%. Dedicated mental health legislation can help to legally reinforce the goals of policies and plans in line with international human rights and practice standards.

Outpatient mental health facilities are 58 times more prevalent in high income compared with low income countries.

User / consumer organizations are present in 83% of high income countries in comparison to 49% of low income countries.

3. Resources for mental health are inefficiently utilised

Globally, 63% of psychiatric beds are located in mental hospitals, and 67% of mental health spending is directed towards these institutions.